The Abbot's Agreement by Mel Starr

My life would have been more tranquil in the days after Martinmas had I not seen the crows. Whatever it was that the crows had found lay in the dappled shadow of the bare limbs of the oak, so I was nearly upon the thing before I recognized what the crows were feasting upon. The corpse wore black.Master Hugh is making his way towards Oxford when he discovers the young Benedictine - a fresh body, barefoot - not half a mile from the nearby abbey. The abbey's novice master confirms the boy's identity: John, one of three novices. But he had gone missing four days previously, and his corpse is fresh. There has been plague in the area, but this was not the cause of death: the lad has been stabbed in the back. To Hugh's sinking heart, the abbot has a commission for him . . .

My review:

  This is the seventh book in this series, and the author has again written a great tale set in the 1300's. I enjoyed it, as I have enjoyed the whole series, though this book seemed to move along slower than the others did.

 Most of the story takes place in an abbey and revolves around the abbey, monks, and the murder of a monk. In addition to the mystery and the solving of the crime, there is given a look at the workings of an abbey, including the politics and how monks are accepted into the work, and how abbots are chosen. Although I would never be a monk, the workings of monasteries and abbeys interest me, so I enjoyed that part of the story.

  As with the other books, I found the non-modern methods of crime solving and doctoring interesting, and I was kept guessing as to the identity of the murderer, and as to the motive for the murder.

 I always enjoy the main character and his thoughts and activities, and the author again filled the book with other colorful and interesting characters. Even though it was a slower read, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it with the rest of the series.

About the author:

Mel Starr was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from Spring Arbor High School in 1960, and Greenville College (Illinois) in 1964. He received a MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970. He taught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years, thirty-five of those in Portage, MI, where he retired in 2003 as chairman of the social studies department of Portage Northern High School.

Mel married Susan Brock in 1965, and they have two daughters; Amy (Kevin) Kwilinski, of Kennesaw, GA, and Jennifer (Jeremy) Reivitt, of Portage, MI. Mel and Susan have seven grandchildren.

The Abbot's Agreement is available from Lion Fiction, part of  the Kregel Publishing Group.

Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.

A Stitch In Crime by Cathy Elliot, with a giveaway

Thea's first quilt show is literally coming apart at the seams!

Thea James has accepted an assignment as co-chairperson for Larkindale's first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she's already feeling frayed when things start to unravel.

Mary-Alice Wentworth, a much-loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea's dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick-off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds?

When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale's reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town's investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.

My review:
   This book is classified as a "cozy mystery." That means it is a more fun read than suspenseful and is definitely not the kind of book that will keep you up at night after you read it. I typically read those kind of books, so this was a change of pace for me, but that is OK. We all need to read a easy and fun book once in a while.

  I did enjoy the book. As with all of the other books in this series, the story centered around a quilt, and I find quilts interesting, even though I am a guy. I liked the characters in the book, the setting, and plot. There was a couple of mysteries going on, and the book was suspenseful, but there are no murders or deadly chases in the book.

  There was a message in the book of the need to forgive, and the book was a definite Christian read. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, especially if they like books that are a fun instead of intense read.

About the author:

Author and speaker Cathy Elliot nourishes her night-owl habit by creating cozy mysteries and more on her trusty laptop in Anderson, California. Like the protagonist in her new mystery, Cathy is an avid quilter. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antique treasures

Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott. Thea's first quilt show begins to fall apart at the seams. Will she be able to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before another attack happens . . . with far worse results.
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The Evangelism Bible

Evangelism can mean many things to many people. For some, it's something that requires special training or a calling from God. For others, it's something only done in a church building or arena. And for some, it evokes emotions of guilt and shame for failing to be a vibrant witness to unbelievers.For more than forty years, EvanTell, Inc., an evangelism training and outreach ministry in Dallas, Texas, has focused on one mission: the gospel, clear and simple. Founded by Dr. R. Larry Moyer, EvanTell, Inc., touches millions of lives each year with evangelism materials, evangelism training, and outreach events. Now those four decades of experience in training believers to share the good news in a clear and simple fashion has been paired with the one essential tool for evangelism: God's Word. The Evangelism Study Bible provides all the tools needed for sharing the gospel in a clear, simple, and guilt-free way. Using the highly regarded New King James Version(R), The Evangelism Study Bible brings together a wide variety of resources, some never before paired with the text of Scripture. Users will benefit from: - a brief, informative introduction to each Bible book, focusing on its contribution to evangelism- more than 2,600 study notes pertaining to evangelism- over 260 tips on practical issues in evangelism- 125 in-depth articles on crucial issues- 85 how-to features that provide hands-on advice- 45 inspirational devotions- easy-to-follow double-column format with explanatory notes- helpful cross references- biblical concordance- full-color mapsThe Evangelism Study Bible not only provides the training to explain and make clear the good news of the gospel, it also will motivate readers to evangelize out of grace rather than guilt.

My review:

  I have a lot of Bibles, but this one interested me, so I requested it to review. The Bible itself is an attractive hardcover with no dust jacket. It is the New King James Version, one of my favorites. The Bible is not red letter, which is something I prefer in a Bible.

 The Bible has a lot of extras in it about evangelism,, witnessing, and notes. There aren't a lot of notes as compared to other study Bibles, but the ones that are in it are worth using.

  Some of the themes are: How to witness in the aftermath of a tragedy, how to reach religious people, reaching people in the midst of a morally depraved culture, and many more. Each of these pages are based on a passage of Scripture, and great advice and instruction are given.

 I am not one to go around evangelizing or witnessing, but within the pages of this Bible are some great ways to go about it, all Biblically based. This would be a great tool for an individual or church who is wanting to learn more about how to evangelize and witness, and to put what they learn into practice.


The Evangelism Bible is available from Kregel Publishing.

Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris

His cover is blown. Now his enemies are on his heels and closing in.
Michael Hunt is alive--and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is Olivia Hamilton--the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

This nonstop chase from Christy Award-winning Lisa Harris will leave you breathless.

My review:
  I have read a few other books by Lisa Harris, and think this series is the best thing she has written, and this final book is the best in the series.

  The first two books were about  the Hunt sisters, and their brother was dead throughout both of those books. However, at the end of book two, it is revealed he is actually alive, but his life is in danger. I made the mistake of reading the first chapter of this book that was included at the end of book two, and have been eagerly waiting for this one to come out. And it was worth the wait.

 Once I started reading this book, I didn't want to put it down and read it through in one sitting. There was a lot of suspense, drama. chases, and the unknown. I liked the characters a lot: Michael -  the undercover cop intent on doing the right thing no matter what,  Olivia - daughter of an evil man but determined to save the man's life who wants to take her father down, all the time fiercely protecting her deaf younger brother, and Ian - a deaf young man who although he sees a vicious crime, convinces his sister to save the life of a man who may or may not be good.

 Hidden Agenda is a very satisfying conclusion to this great series. I am looking forward to what Lisa Harris has in store next, This book and the whole series will be a tough act to follow.

About the author:

Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 fromRomantic Times. She has sold over thirty novels and novella collections. Along with her husband, she and her three children have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Africa where she homeschools, leads a women's group, and runs a nonprofit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves . . . the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice" (Proverbs 31:8).

When she's not working, she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa, visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit www.theECHOproject.org.

Hidden Agenda is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Esther, Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt

When an ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews, an inexperienced young queen must take a stand for her people. 

When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart.

My review:

  I have read a few Biblical fiction novels written about Esther, but this one was the most different I have read. It was written in the first person point of view of two people: Esther, and Harbonah, a eunuch in the King's palace. That gives the reader a couple of different perspectives on the story that you don't normally get reading the third person point of view, or even the first person point of view from one person. 

 Hunt also spends more time on the story of Esther before she becomes queen. The Bible story and other fictionalized stories have her becoming queen early in the story. Hunt also has a lot more historical details about the king than are given in the Bible due to her studying historical information about the king and that era. 

 This was not a book I breezed through, though it was a very interesting book. Hunt gives more insight into the character of Esther and takes more time to develop her character and story, and the end result is one of the best versions of this story that I have read. She stays true to the Biblical account, but builds on the Biblical account to make a great Biblical fiction novel. I would recommend this over the other stories of Esther that are on the Christian market.

About the author:

With nearly five million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Timesbestselling author of The Tale of Three Trees,The Note, and The Nativity Story. Angela's novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion Award. Romantic Times Book Club presented Angela with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, she completed her doctorate in Biblical Studies and is currently completing her Th.D. Angela and her husband live in Florida, along with their mastiffs. She can be found online at www.angelahuntbooks.com.

Esther, Royal Beauty, is available from Bethany House, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.

Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Blind Trust Revell (June 17, 2014) by Sandra Orchard

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sandra Orchard is a multi-award-winning author of mysteries and romantic suspense with Revell Publishing and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and writes full time . . . when not doting on her young grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can't believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Blind Trust, go HERE.


My review:

 This is only the second book I have read by Sandra Orchard, and I have enjoyed both books. This series is different, as in where most series like this has a different main characters in each book, the whole series has the same main characters. I rather like this way. In your average romantic suspense novel, the couple is either married, or well on their way to being married, by the end of the book. In this series however, the couple that are the main characters are far from being on their way to the altar. That isn't to say I don't like the other books, but it is kind of refreshing to have a series actually play out that part of the story in a slower and more believable fashion.

  I liked the first book a lot, but felt this one was even better. Another plus of keeping with the same main characters, is being able to have more character development. There is also an ongoing mystery that hasn't yet been resolved, yet the book ends in a way that doesn't keep you hanging.

  The suspense and mystery aspects of the book were great and well done, and kept me reading until I finished the book. There were a lot of suspects, and I was kept guessing who was guilty and of what until close to the end of the book. I'd highly recommend this series, but it is one that needs to be read in order. This author is well on her way to being a household name in Christian Suspense.

Soul Painter by Cara Luecht

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Soul Painter WhiteFire Publishing (March 15, 2014) by Cara Luecht

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author:
I never planned to be a writer. In fact, it took me a while to finish college. But I did, and here I am. And I now I can’t imagine not being a writer.

By day, I am an English Instructor at MATC, Marketing Manager for Degnan Design Builders, Inc., mother to four amazing children, wife to an eternally patient and supportive husband, and Worship Leader for Living Hope Fellowship in Sun Prairie, WI. In the evening, when I can squirrel away some quiet time, I read and write historical fiction.

I have a B.A. in English Lit. from UW Whitewater and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.

If you have a question for me, or if you are local and would like me to stop by your book club or writer’s group, please drop me a line via the “Ask the Author” tab. I always love the opportunity to meet with others who share my love of books.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Miriam paints the future…but can she change it?

Chicago – 1890

Miriam watches the people jostle their way below the windows of her warehouse home, never thinking to look up at her as she paints their faces. But Miriam's gift as an artist goes beyond a mere recording of what is: Miriam paints their futures. Only once was she wrong. One woman doesn't match the future Miriam saw. The bright girl was supposed to grow into a respected businesswoman. Instead, Ione disappears nightly into the shadowed alley next to the cathedral with the other prostitutes. Then one night, while walking through the city fog, Miriam finds Ione broken and beaten. Miriam is forced to open her home to the stranger whose face she knows so well and open her life to change she never could have foretold. Women are missing—some found floating in the river, some never seen again. The deacon from the cathedral is the first to help. Soon Miriam’s solicitor, Michael, aids her in rejoining society so they might uncover the evil at work in the corrupt city...and awakens feelings she had never considered before. Finally engaged with the world she has so long observed, finally stirred by love and friendship, Miriam realizes the responsibility of her gifting. No longer can she just paint what will be. She must now help Ione find the future she is meant to have...and find her own along with it.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Soul Painter, go HERE.